Nine CPI(M) members in Kerala convicted in BJP worker Suraj’s murder in 2005-OxBig News Network

Ending a 19-year legal battle, the Thalassery District Sessions Court in Kannur, Kerala, on Friday (March 21, 2025) convicted nine Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] members in the 2005 murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker Suraj at Muzhappilangad in Kannur. A tenth accused was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Among the convicted is T.K Rajeesh, an accused in the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case, who is the first accused. Others found guilty include Manoraj Narayanan, N.V. Yagesh, K. Shamjith, Neyyoth Sajeevan, Prabhakaran, K.V. Padmanabhan, Manombeth Radhakrishnan and Nagathankota Prakashan. Two accused, P.K. Shamsudheen and T.P. Raveendran, died during the trial.

The attack

Suraj (32) was hacked to death in front of the Muzhappilangad telephone exchange on August 7, 2005.

The prosecution argued that he was targeted for leaving the CPI(M) and joining the BJP.

The accused allegedly arrived in an autorickshaw, threw a bomb and attacked him with weapons. Six months earlier, an attempt had been made on his life, leaving him bedridden.

Initiatlly 10 people were charged. However, based on the confession of Rajeesh, both he and Manoraj Narayanan were added as accused.

The court has convicted them on charges of murder and conspiracy.